Van Won't Start; Is There a Clutch Sensor

[jimijuma]

Hey guys! It's been a while. For the first time in the several years of ownership my van decided it wasn't going to start. It is acting exactly like I am not pushing the clutch in all the way, even though I have the clutch pushed to the floor. Is there a clutch sensor for this that may have gone bad? Seems like it should be something simple, but I would like to know exactly what it might be before I tear into things. Any help and insight is greatly appreciated!

Sorry, forgot to mention that it is a '88 Van Wagon (for those that might not already know).

[Jan-Willem]

I don’t know, i have an automatic, but there is a switch in parts diagram, and i think the manual transmission one has a relay as well:
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[89van]

Fairly certain the Neutral Start is for the automatics (although going off the info you gave me and what I can see, there is also one in the diagram but listed as not available so a bit of a toss up there. Maybe crawl under and see if you can find a neutral start looking doohickey on the driver's side by the bellhousing) as Jen said; check the clutch switch. I have a factory service manual which I can gloss through and see if it's mentioned how to fix there. :thmbup:

[Jan-Willem]

Hehe it is all foreign to me, maybe a clutch safety switch is a U.S. thing, because most cars are automatic. I have driven so many manual cars, never had one with a clutch safety feature. In fact, for your drivers exam over here, they learn the student, that when your car stalls on a railway crossing, to get it out of the way, by putting it in first gear or reverse, and using the starter, hop it out of harms way.

[originalkwyjibo]

There is a clutch safety switch. It could also be the typical issues with starter contacts or resistance caused by old wiring.